The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-04-15
A DUEL BY PROXY.
BY HAwsER NARriEoALR.

worthy Yankee shipmsster, who possessed
many characteristics of the true sailor. H,
was straightforward specimen Of human
who faithfully attended to his own business
without meddling with tho affairs Of others
His exterior man was covered with q rough
SHE'LL nevertheless, his heart was in the right
place, and his disposition was swesteued by q
generous slice Of humor.
Captain Shelldrake was commander Of The
brig Rhiuoceros, number Of years ago, on ,
voyage to Havana. One evening he was nea,
the quay, or landiug-place, accompanied BY
good-naturel spaniel, o pct Of his, to which be
was greatly attached, when he met an English
gentleman, named Morton, supercargo Of .
Bristol ship. Tho dog, unfortunately, had
strayed step from the side Of his master
and unsuspicious Of illireatment from any on,
wearing the appearance OF gsntl sman, almos,
brushed his caudal appendage, known a. tail
against the tender shins Of this proud natir,
Of Albion. Such an approach to familiarity
and such violation Of tho rules OF GOOD
breeding on the part Of brute, excited the ire
Of Morton, who lifted his foot, and with q
sturdy kick against poor Sancho's riLs, sent
him bowling and yelping ten or fifteen feet be-
ysrd the platform.
Love me, love my dog is an old and favor.
its proverb, which every man would do we'll to
remember. and it was particularly unfortunate
for the Englishman that he forgot il, or con-
temptuously disregaried it, on this particular
occasion, for sancho no sooner proclaimed, in
loud and piercing tones, tho insult and the in
jury which ho had received, than Captain
Shslldrake, who saw the aggressive act, and
heard tho remonstrance Of his dog agains.
such wanton outrage, also raised his foot, q
weighty one II was, and emulating the example
Of the Briton, tried the experiment Of kick
at him, Mith such hearty good will, that it cap
sizsa'Asht Attha- tWinkling of = bobstay, and
sent him spraWling, like q spread sagle, aftsr
the spaniel.
TRsahtdtsSts sudden. It was an s1tempo-
raneous kick, and was admirably executed,
butmereto the a,tonishmsnt of tie Englishman
than tb iris satisfaction. Indeed, he ss little
dreamed O moment before of receiving such q
humiliating and painful salutaiion, as 4. nref
tending Saucho himself, and seemed a. much
disposed TO complain Of the unceremmious
usage. Nor did he conhne his signs Of dis
satisfaction to EXPLANATIONS Of sstonishment,
or grosps Sof pain; he indulged in expression
or anger Of a loud and boisterous character,
intsrlardel with expletives. far more remark
able for their strength and fsrocity, than for
their meekness or piety. And he terminated
his remonstrance by shaking his 8st in the
vicinity of Shelldrake's face, accompanied with
q demand for instant satisfaction-tho s,tisfso.
tion of gentleman
Captain Shelldrake stood his ground firmly,
lie eyed the Engtishmau with look, calm
and philosophical, yet resoluts and determined
III tell you what, my FRIEND said he,
a don't shake your fist At me and clap . stop
per on those broadsides Of abuse, or I'll turn
to and drub you to your hearts content, and
teach you lesson in good manners which you
will remembsr to the latest day Of your life.
What does the fellow want 2 continued the
Yankee captain, addressing tho throng Of spec
tators which had gathered around. He kick
ed my dog without . shadow Of cause, and
kicked him because he kicked my dog. He
knows now the true value Of kick, and the
sensation it produces when we'll admir- istsred +;
>snd sp sntitlsd TO his thanks for giving him
'----- rL- -. 10 . knni n ..t
angry, and cannot do better than TO 20 ON
board his ship, apply an smbrocation to his
bruises, and sleep off his indignation. Hs will
feel better in the morning.
While the friends Of tho Indignant Morton
sought to mitigate his wrath by suppe,tino
that there was one way, and one only. OF set.
Ting satisfactorily all affairs Of this kind.
Captain shslidrsks entered his yawI, and In
few minutes was alongside Of the staunch
brig Rhinooero,. He stepped lightly ., board,
look few turns on tho quarterback, ex-
changed some pleasant conversation with bis
ofhcsrs, partook Of a harty supper, smoked q
couple Of Don Amigos oigars' and turned In.
feeling conscious that he had acted we'll hi,
part for that day, at least; and without being
visited BY any twinges Of . guilty conscience,
no slept soundly through the night.
He had hardly finished his breakfast on the
following morning when two strangers c,ue on
board. They were gra,elnd disnine looking
gentlemen, and BY their stiff manners and
or'et replies to questions proposed BY the chief
ns'e' had matters Of serious import To commu.
n'oa'e' The Interview with Captain shslldraks
was NOT Of long duration 7 and when they l.ft
ID tho brig they smiled griuly ,s their eyes met.
iney had evidently accomplished their mis,Ion
IN style satisfactory to themselves At least
'ney haa been doing what they considered a
g0oa and Christian woyt, They hsd brought
. peremptory challenge from Morton, an a..
tsai injunction 10 shelldrsks, on pain Of lo.in,
Ai claim to the character Of . gentleman, to